Top seeds match up in District 11 girls basketball championship games

Nazareth's Taylor Umar is one of six seniors hoping to win a second District 11 Class 4A girls basketball championship in three years Friday night against Easton.

Nazareth's Taylor Umar is one of six seniors hoping to win a second District 11 Class 4A girls basketball championship in three years Friday night against Easton. (MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING CALL)

Of The Morning Call

'Unfamiliar' foes set to collide for district gold

Often at this time of year championship games are the third, maybe even the fourth, matchup of the season between the finalists.

That's not the case at all this year.

The District 11 Class 4A and 3A girls basketball championship games over the next two days bring together the top two seeds in each class, all from the same league.

But for 3A titans Bethlehem Catholic and Central Catholic, their showdown Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Freedom is only their second meeting of the season.

And for Easton and Nazareth, their clash for the 4A title at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Freedom is their first meeting.

Although the top seed in 4A, Easton is the Cinderella of the tournament. Two years ago the Red Rovers were 6-16; a year ago, in Dave Lutz's first season, they were 9-13 but then graduated most of the team.

But with four sophomore starters, Easton ran off seven straight wins to start the season and only once has lost back-to-back games this season.

"I'm very, very happy with the way we've come together," Lutz said. "To be able to play for a district championship and to go to states is a great accomplishment … I'm really proud of the girls."

In contrast, Nazareth, which has quietly turned into one of the top 4A programs in the district, is senior-dominated.

"This group of six seniors has done it all the time," Blue Eagles coach Rich Bickart said. "We did it in the summer, we played some great teams over the summer that we're going to see in the state tournament. I thought we were prepared for the season; we came out and played really well in the beginning, then we had a little lapse in the middle, and hopefully we're hitting another gear now."

Due to a quirk in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference schedule, Becahi and Central — both ranked in the state's Class 3A Top 10 rankings all season long — didn't play each other in the regular season. They both went through their EPC schedule undefeated, setting up a much-anticipated conference championship game won by the Golden Hawks in a 45-42 thriller.

"If we make a couple more shots, they made a couple more plays at crunch time … who's going to make those plays, that's what it comes down to in big games," legendary Central coach Mike Kopp said. "In that game we got out of our style of play for a period in the second quarter, and I think we did something like that again in the fourth quarter, so we can't do that. We have to be a little more patient."

"I'm pretty sure they're thinking, 'Hey, we're one or two plays away,' " Becahi coach Jose Medina said. "I'm pretty sure Coach Kopp is drilling that to them. So we know that going in. We looked at the film, we saw some things we did well, we saw some things we can do better at, which we will. I want our girls to understand that [the Vikettes] will come with a lot, a lot of confidence, and we have to match that confidence and do what we do. And if we do what we do, things should take care of themselves."

•About the Red Rovers: Reached the final with a 44-29 win over defending champion Parkland after a 52-40 quarterfinal victory over Liberty. … Won their first seven games before losing to Phillipsburg in the Easton tournament. Other losses to Central Catholic (2), Bethlehem Catholic (2) and Parkland. … Have won eight of last 10. … Lutz improved a 6-16 team to 9-13 last year, now is in the finals with a roster that has just one senior (Moser) and three juniors. … average 43.2 ppg, give up 36.5. … Stocker has 26 points in two district playoff games and is averaging 12.2 ppg over her last five games. … Making fourth appearance in the finals and first since losing to Pleasant Valley in 2003. … Won the 1999 district title by beating Whitehall 45-30. Lutz also led the Easton boys team to the finals that season but the Rovers fell to Stroudsburg, 66-57 … Also lost to Pottsville in 1991 final. … Have only met Nazareth once in district tournament play, beating the Blue Eagles 51-38 in the 1987 quarterfinals.

About the Blue Eagles: Earned a shot at their second title in three years by beating Pocono Mountain West 45-38 after downing Whitehall 35-24 in the quarterfinals. … Win over PMW reversed one of their five regular-season losses. … Ran off to a 9-0 start to the season, and have won four of five since back-to-back losses to Central and Parkland. … Of their four losses, four are to Becahi and Central (two each) … Average 50.8 ppg, give up 36.2. … Have held six of their last eight opponents under 40 points and 15 of 25 overall. … Balanced scoring, with five players averaging at least 5.6 ppg including 5-10 sophomore Jessica Durnin (7.8 ppg). … In finals for the fourth time since 2010 and the fifth time overall, but only win came in 2013 (50-43 over Pocono Mountain West).

About the Golden Hawks: Ran past Northwestern 59-25 in the semifinals after a first-round bye. … Have won 25 straight since an opening night loss to Scranton Prep. All but one of their last 14 wins have been by at least 15 points (lone exception a 45-42 win over Central in EPC title game). . … Ranked in the top four in the state all year long. … Averaging 63.1 ppg, giving up 37. … The Pitt-bound Walters has scored at least 20 points in 19 games. She had 19 in the win over Central for the EPC title. … Melham had 17 points against Northwestern after scoring eight or less in three of the previous four games. … Seeking third straight title and seventh overall in nine championship game appearances. … Won four straight 3A championships (1992-95) under Dick Schmidt while Central was competing in 4A tournament (winning three championships and finishing second the other year). … Lost in 1984 to North Schuylkill and 2012 to Central Catholic.

About the Vikettes: Outlasted Southern Lehigh 41-31 in the semifinals thanks to two key 3-pointers by Mack, including a 60-foot buzzer-beater at the first half horn. … Mack played the semi under the weather, and Kopp is hoping she is fully recovered for Saturday. … Only losses to Episcopal Charter (34-30) in late December and to Becahi in EPC final. … Average 47.7 ppg, give up 31. … Ranked seventh in state by PennLive.com. … Mack has hit eight shots in the final five seconds of a quarter, half or game this year. … Roseman did a shut-down defensive job on Solehi freshman Amanda Mobley, holding her to a lone 3-pointer — eight below her season's average. … Luma had 12 points against Northwestern, the fourth time in seven games the sophomore has reached double figures. … Have gone two years without a district championship, their longest dry spell since a drought between 1974 and 1986. … Have won 22 titles in 32 appearances. … Reached the title game every year but one since 1986 (2013). … Have lost to Becahi two straight years (2013 semifinals, 2014 finals) after going 8-0 against the Hawks since the tournament began in the early 1970s. … Kopp is the all-time winningest basketball coach in state history, boys or girls.

CLASS 2A

Matchup: No. 1 North Schuylkill (24-2) vs. No. 3 Myersville (23-2)

When/Where: 6 tonight, Blue Mountain High School

Notable: North Schuylkill beat Minersville 49-41 in Schuylkill League finals. … the Spartans, on a 19-game winning streak, have lost only to Central Catholic and Class 4A State College and are seeking their ninth district title. … Minersville, who beat Salisbury 48-29 in last year's 2A final, have a roster made up entirely of freshmen and sophomores. … The Battlin' Miners are seeking their fourth district title overall..

CLASS A

Matchup: No. 1 Shenandoah (20-4) vs. No. 2 Williams Valley (16-7)

When/Where: 1 p.m. Saturday, Martz Hall, Pottsville

Notable: Both teams are seeking their first district championship. … Shenandoah allows just over 31 points a game; Williams Valley was among the Schuylkill League's scoring leaders at 53 points a game.

Notable: Winner advances to PIAA playoffs as the district's No. 3 team. … Parkland's 42-41 quarterfinal win at Pottsville was the 100th for coach Wes Spence (100-46) in his nine years with the Trojans. … Parkland beat PMW 38-35 in last year's finals, and beat the Panthers 37-31 during the regular season this winter. … Jackie Benitez, averaging 26.9 points a game, had 20 of PMW's 31 points that game. … PMW has lost in the last two district finals. … Parkland beat Bangor 39-24 in the 2013 consolation game to claim third place and the state playoff berth.